A politician from Bucks County is working toward awarding a famed athlete for her work in making changes in sports and the world.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a Bucks County native, recently introduced legislation to award Billie Jean King the Congressional Gold Medal. This was done alongside Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey.

King has been an integral figure in women’s sports. In 1973, at the age of 29, she played in and won the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match against Bobby Riggs. Since then, she has been an advocate for women on and off the court and in all sports.

“We all know Billie Jean as a tennis legend in the United States, who was also instrumental in the passage of Title IX and has used her platform to advocate for equality for female athletes,” the organization said online. “In 2009, she was the first female athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

Learn more about King’s medal at the Bucks County Tennis Association.

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